Dik-Dik Hunting

The Dik-Dik antelope has a pointed mobile snout, big eyes and a tuft of erectile hair like a duiker.

Dik-Dik are tiny antelopes that come in different shades of colour depending on habitat - the drier semi-desert areas usually have paler individuals.

Dik-Dik Trophy Minimums

As with some other small antelope, there are lots of dik-dik species and subspecies, some of which are no longer recognised or are a matter of dispute with experts. The main dik-dik genus is Madoqua and the Rhynchotragus dik-diks are thought to be a subgenus. As usual with scientifically confusing animal species, Rowland Ward and SCI have some different dik-dik record book categories.

Madoqua cordeauxi (Cordeaux's Dik-Dik)

RW Minimum

RW Record

RW Measurement Method

SCI Minimum

SCI Record

SCI Measurement Method

21/8"

33/8"

7

N/A

N/A

1

Madoqua saltiana (Salts's Dik-Dik)

RW Minimum

RW Record

RW Measurement Method

SCI Minimum

SCI Record

SCI Measurement Method

21/8"

45/8"

7

6"

112/16"

1

Rhynchotragus damarensis (Damara Dik-Dik)

RW Minimum

RW Record

RW Measurement Method

SCI Minimum

SCI Record

SCI Measurement Method

23/8"

41/8"

7

7"

10"

1

Rhynchotragus guentheri (Guenther's Dik-Dik)

RW Minimum

RW Record

RW Measurement Method

SCI Minimum

SCI Record

SCI Measurement Method

23/8"

41/4"

7

8"

115/16"

1

Rhynchotragus kirkii (Kirk's Dik-Dik)

RW Minimum

RW Record

RW Measurement Method

SCI Minimum

SCI Record

SCI Measurement Method

3"

45/2"

7

8"

1212/16"

1

Madoqua phillipsi (Phillip's Dik-Dik)

RW Minimum

RW Record

RW Measurement Method

SCI Minimum

SCI Record

SCI Measurement Method

2"

23/4"

7

8"

98/16"

1

Madoqua saltiana hararensis (Harar Dik-Dik)

RW Minimum

RW Record

RW Measurement Method

SCI Minimum

SCI Record

SCI Measurement Method

N/A

N/A

N/A

610/16"

913/16"

1

Where To Hunt Dik-Dik

Ethiopia is home to the most bewildering array of dik-dik species. Unless you are a die-hard dik-dik hunter trying to collect all the huntable dik-diks, you probably don't care about the which dik-dik you are hunting or which record book has a classification for it.

A quick look at Ethiopian trophy lists will reveal Guenther's dik-dik, Cordeaux's dik-dik, Harar dik-dik and Salt's dik-dik, all available to hunt on a lowland hunt in the Danakil and Omo Valley regions of Ethiopia. (There other dik-dik subspecies in Ethiopia which are not on any trophy lists which include Phillip's dik-dik, Swayne's dik-dik and Lawrence's dik-dik).

Technically Cordeaux's dik-dik is an invalid species and now comes under the umbrella of Salt's dik-dik. It is no longer classified by SCI but is with Rowland Ward.

The Harar dik-dik is another subspecies of the Salt's dik-dik. The Harar dik-dik is recognised by SCI but not RW.

Guenther's dik-dik is a separate subspecies from the Rhynchotragus group of dik-diks and looks quite different. Guenther's dik-dik is acceptable with SCI and RW.

So in summary, you can really only hunt Salt's and Guenther's dik-dik in Ethiopia.

In north and central Tanzania, you can hunt the Kirk's dik-dik on a 16 and 21 day licence.

In northwestern and central Namibia, you can hunt the Damara dik-dik which is a subspecies of Kirk's dik-dik.

Dik-Dik Hunting Prices

The dik-dik is not usually an African hunter's priority animal so is just hunted when the opportunity arises.

On a lowland hunt in Ethiopia, you will need to ask the outfitter ahead of time about hunting a Salt's or Guenther's dik-dik and pay the non-refundable licence fee. The trophy fee for a Salt's dik-dik is US$340 and a Guenther's dik-dik is US$200.

In Uganda, the Guenther's dik-dik trophy fee ranges from US$200 to US$800.

In Tanzania the Government trophy fee for Kirk's dik-dik is US$250 but with added community development/anti-poaching charges, you will get a trophy fee of between US$330 and US$400.

In Namibia the Damara dik-dik commands a trophy fee that varies between US$1150 to US$2500.

Dik-Dik Hunting Methods

Walking and stalking in the likely habitat and keeping a sharp eye out, will frequently reveal these tiny antelope. Dusk or dawn are the best times of day to hunt the dik-dik.

Kirk's Dik-Dik Hunting, Tanzania

A Good Dik-Dik Trophy

Look for a mature male dik-dik with thick horn bases and good horn length - only the males have horns. As with most small antelope, horns that are level with or extend past the tips of the ears will be an indication for a good trophy.

Dik-Dik Hunting Shot Placement

A smaller calibre is preferable and a shot into the chest area should cause less trophy damage.

Male Dik-Dik Vital Statistics

Male Dik-Dik Vital Statistics

Guenther's

Salt's

Kirk's

Damara

Shoulder Height

14-15"35-38cm

13"33cm

14-18"35-45cm

15.7"40cm

Weight

8-12lb3.6 to 5.5kg

10lb4.5kg

5.9-14.3lb2.7-6.5kg

11lb5kg

Dik-Dik Habitat And Requirements

Dik-dik are adapted to arid conditions and prefer light bush cover.

They are pure browsers and are water-independent.

Dik-Dik Social Structure

Dik-dik live as monogamous pairs. If you see one, the other one won't be far away.

Dik-Dik Gestation Period

After a gestation period of 6 months, one offspring is usually born.

Dik-Dik Gender Identification

Only males have corrugated horns. These may be slightly hidden by the erectile forelock.

Dik-dik Gallery

Click images to enlarge

Dik-Dik Trophy Permits (2015)

All Dik-Dik Species

CITES

USF&W

EU

AUS

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Dik-Dik Trophy Taxidermy

The tiny dik-dik makes a very attractive full mount on a habitat base.

Don't forget to tell your taxidermist not to blacken and polish the horns, if you want the horns to look natural.

The Name Of The Dik-Dik

The name dik-dik was given to this antelope in east Africa and is thought be based on the sound of its alarm call.

Salt's dik-dik, Madoqua saltiana, was named after Henry Salt (1780 - 1827) who was a British diplomat, artist and collector who travelled to Ethiopia. He brought back many plant and bird specimens, among which were the skin and horns of the previously unknown dik-dik.

Guenther's dik-dik, Rhynchotragus guentheri, was named after Dr Albert Carl Ludwig Guenther (1830 - 1914) who was a German born zoologist and collector who became a British subject, calling himself Charles Lewis Guenther. He specialised in fish and reptiles but along the way found his dik-dik in east Africa.

Kirk's dik-dik, Rhynchotragus kirkii, was named after Sir John Kirk (1832 - 1922), a Scottish physician, naturalist and friend of David Livingstone, accompanying him on the second Zambezi expedition. An avid specimen collector he found his dik-dik in east Africa.

The Damara or Damaraland dik-dik, Rhynchotragus damarensis, is named after the native Damara clans of Namibia. Even with this dik-dik population being so far away from that in east Africa, it is recognised as a subspecies of Kirk's dik-dik.

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